Inside: New Groups the Power of 3 Musical Memories Haunting Experience Emails & Quiz Answers

Spring 2018 www.saffronwaldenu3a.org.uk

Inside: New Groups The Power of 3 Musical Memories Haunting Experience Emails & Quiz answers

Saffron Walden Registered Charity No. 290670

In this Spring Issue

Chairman ’s Report …..………………………………………………. 4 Saffron Walden U3A Committee/Potential New Groups ……… 5 Class Co-ordinators …..……………....…………………………….. 6 Weekly-Fortnightly Activities/Computing ……..……………… 8/9 Monthly Activities/Table Tennis ……..…..….………….....…….. 10 Saffron Harmony Choir/Ukulele …...…………………………...... 11 Membership Secretary’s/Activities Organiser’s Reports ….... 12 Ballroom-Sequence Dancing/Open Meetings …...... ………….. 13 The colourful world of Rambling, Writing & Poetry …….... 14/15 Thanks for the Memory/Cribbage …………………….………….. 16 Literature/Latin ………………………..….…………………….…… 17 Easy Riders Cycling/Puzzle …….………………………………… 18 Birdwatching/Theatre & Travel ………….…….…….….….... 19/20 Your emails/Quiz answers ……………...….……..…………….... 21 Mah-Jong 2/Bridge/Armistice Day Poem ……...…………… 22/23 Obituaries …………..….……...... …………….……………………. 24 Dates for your Diary/Theatre & Travel Programme ……...….. 26

Open Meetings have a new format allowing more time for socialising with the doors opening at 2.15 pm and refreshments being available from 2.30 pm before the Speaker starts at 3.00 pm. Every third Monday at the Bowls Club.

ull of the joys of spring, we go headlong into this, my third edition of Update. But first things first - a Happy FChristmas to you all! After what seems like a very long winter, and there’s still someway to go yet, it is good to know that spring may be just around the corner - if it’s not then I want my money back!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this issue, there’d be no Update without you! Our range of activities is expanding with new Our puzzle will groups like Drama, Badminton and Natural History whilst several potential new groups are drive you dotty waiting in the wings, see page 5. Make it a New Year’s resolution to try something new. as you search

Tributes are paid on our Obituary pages to for the four U3A members who have sadly passed away.

Update attempts to encourage participation in hidden Easter existing activities, welcoming ideas for new activities and members to lead new groups. So eggs in this feel I hope you’ll consider taking up the challenge good issue! Cover photoCover JD by and begin by sending me your comments, ideas and quiz answers. Thank you.

Jim Dwyer, Editor

Now let’s spring into action and read on . . .

Chairman’s Report

eason’s Greetings to all members, new and old. Saffron Walden U3A continues to grow and flourish with a number of new groups Srecently started and several other potential new groups hopefully starting in the New Year.

Apologies to those members who are on waiting lists, please be assured that we are doing our best to address this problem. The bottom line is that we need more members to ‘step up’ and volunteer to become leaders, or co-ordinators, in order for us to further expand the number and variety of groups. There have been, for example, several requests for a beginners group for both Italian and Bridge. Help and guidance is available if you’re contemplating becoming a group leader, please contact Ann Cousins: 01799 219072, email [email protected]. Please help us by letting us

know what you want from your U3A. Many thanks. Alan Nicholls, Chairman

lease make all cheques payable to: SAFFRON Should any members WALDEN U3A. Our bank requests that you do have difficulty in not put anything else on the cheque. All hearing at our Pmembers are requested to pay class fees promptly as meetings or classes we do need to have money in the bank before we can or have difficulty with pay out. Whatever class you are attending, please access through ensure you pay the class fees for the whole term to your disability, please co-ordinator no later than the second class of that term. If, for whatever reason, after the first class you do not speak to a member of propose to continue to attend, then let your co-ordinator the Committee to try know as soon as possible. Thank you. and make attendance easier and more Ann Treglown, Treasurer comfortable. 4 Saffron Walden U3A Committee

Title Name Telephone Email Chairman Alan 01799 522260 [email protected] & Speakers Nicholls 07926 353638 Vice Trevor 01799 500909 [email protected] Chairman Osbourn Treasurer Ann 01799 516707 [email protected] Treglown Secretary Janet 01799 540065 [email protected] Pearson Membership Ann Banks 01799 550328 [email protected] Secretary Activities Ann 01799 219072 [email protected] & Venues Cousins Organiser Update Jim Dwyer 01799 521524 [email protected] Editor 07531 115160 Committee Christine [email protected] Member Simpson Committee Mary Curtis 01799 524784 [email protected] Member

Website Martin [email protected] Manager Hugall Potential New Groups If any of the following potential new groups and Card Making appeal to you, please contact Relaxation and Wellbeing Ann Cousins on 01799 219072 or With the following potential new groups, [email protected] we are looking for people who would be Badminton: at Widdington Village Hall interested in leading them: Mandarin: we have a teacher Darts, Dominoes or Whist Natural History: see page 22 Food and Drink Appreciation, possibly Rambling with Dogs: we have a separate groups to exchange recipes, co-ordinator and a possible Spring start sample creations, menu ideas etc Computers - see page 9 Gardening Hands-On Craft: Knitting, Crocheting, Patchwork 2nd Line Dancing Group

Class Co-ordinators Class Co-ordinator Tel Email Art 1 Esther Rawlings 01799 520203 [email protected] Art 2 Peter Divall 01799 524140 [email protected] Art Appreciation Ann Crawford and 01763 838080 [email protected] Trevor Osbourn 01799 500909 [email protected] Badminton To be confirmed Ballroom / Pauline Palmer 01799 502560 [email protected] Sequence Dancing Bird Watching Brian Linford 01799 531392 [email protected]

Bridge Bery Ihm 01799 502512 [email protected]

Bridge Linda Jackson 01799 540269 [email protected] (Improvers) Choir Joan Shadbolt 01799 516585 [email protected] Cribbage John Trueman and 01799 541288 [email protected] Christine Taylor 01799 501886 [email protected]

Drama Gill Williamson 01799 524947 [email protected] Easy Riders Colin and Anne 01799 543127 [email protected] Cycling Taylor French Sue Rooney 01799 525389 [email protected] Conversation Gardening Jo Ware 01763 838654 [email protected] History Byways Eleanor Bullough 01799 524783 [email protected] Indoor Bowling Grahame Wilmott 07922 187361 [email protected] Italian Susan Humphries 01799 500066 [email protected] Keep Fit Helen Verity and 01799 550408 [email protected] Lynda Sawkins 01799 521022 [email protected] Latin 1 & 2 Alex Reeve 01799 522818 [email protected] Line Dancing Sheila French 01799 530364 [email protected]

Please advise the Website Manager (details page 5) if you do not wish any of these personal details to appear on the Saffron Walden U3A website.

Class Co-ordinators (continued)

Class Co-ordinator Tel Email Literature Ann Crawford 01763 838080 [email protected] Lunch Club Kate Barwood 01799 550271 [email protected] Mah-jong 1 Christine Greet 01799 531732 [email protected] Mah-jong 2 Jess Grinyer 01799 500344 [email protected] Mah-jong 3 Peter & Geraldine 01799 599159 [email protected] Plunkett Mainly for Men John London 01799 527729 [email protected] Music Club Philippa Croft 01799 599044 [email protected] Nice 'n' Easy Jan Powell 01799 523855 [email protected] Fitness Philosophy 1 Joanna O'Connor 01799 522260 [email protected] Philosophy 2 Denys Hickey 01799 523904 [email protected] Photography Anne Mount 01763 838271 [email protected] Pilates 1 Chris Pickett 01799 542145 chris.pickett@ hotmail.co.uk Pilates 2 Irene Bedward 01799 528178 [email protected] Pilates 3 & 4 Ann Cousins 01799 219072 [email protected] Pilates 5 Glennis Virgo 01799 524189 [email protected] Pilates 6 Linda Dobson 01799 500939 [email protected] Pilates 7 Anne Brown 01799 529026 [email protected] Play Reading Gill Williamson 01799 524947 [email protected] Poetry Beryl Ihm 01799 502512 [email protected] Ramblers 1 Keith Patmore 01799 527568 [email protected] Ramblers 2 Lynne Howell 01799 525581 [email protected] Scrabble Bronwen 01799 524772 [email protected] Attenborough Spanish Jessica Reeve 01799 522818 [email protected] Improvers Table Tennis Ann Cousins 01799 219072 [email protected] Tai Chi Angela Rowland 01799 521192 [email protected] Theatre Chris Duffy 01799 520173 [email protected] Outings Pauline Smith 01799 521524 [email protected] Travel Jean Little 01799 513411 [email protected] Ukulele Mary Curtis 01799 524784 [email protected] Writing for Diane Drury 07870 900852 [email protected] Pleasure 7

Weekly/Fortnightly Activities Day Activity Venue Time Monday: twice Writing for Pleasure Tutor's home 10:00 - 12:00 monthly on an ad hoc basis Monday Pilates 7 Fairycroft House 9:00 - 10:00 Monday Pilates 6 Fairycroft House 10:15 - 11:15 Monday Latin 1 Tutor's Home 11:00 - 12:30 Monday fortnightly History Byways Baptist Room 11:00 - 12:00

Monday Line Dancing URC Hall 1:00 - 2:15 Monday Badminton Widdington 2:00 - 4:00 Village Hall Monday French Contact 2:00 - 3:30 Conversation co-ordinator Tuesday Italian 4th Year Tutor's home 9:30 - 10:45 Tuesday Sequence Dancing URC Hall 9:45 - 10:45

Tuesday Indoor Bowls Turpin's Indoor Bowls 11:45 Club Tuesday Pilates 3 Baptist Hall 1:30 - 2:30 Tuesday Art Class 1 URC Hall 2:30 - 4:00 Tuesday Pilates 4 Baptist Hall 2:30 - 3:30 Tuesday Pilates 5 Baptist Hall 3:30 - 4:30 Tuesday Mah-jong 3 Co-ordinator's home Contact co-ordinator Wednesday Tai Chi 1 Baptist Hall 9:30 - 10:30 Second & fourth Saffron Harmony Quendon 10:00 - 12:00 Wednesday Choir Wednesday Listening to Music Baptist Hall 10:30 - 11:45

First & third Ukulele St Paul's Mission 10:00 - 12:00 Wednesday Room, Tye Green, Wimbish CB10 2XE

Wednesday Tai Chi 2 Baptist Hall 11:00 - 12:00 Wednesday Keep Fit Baptist Church 11:10 - 12:10 Wednesday Nice 'n' Easy Fitness Baptist Hall 12:30 - 1:30

Weekly/Fortnightly Activities (continued) Day Activity Venue Time Wednesday Mah-jong 1 Member's home 1:30 - 3:30 Wednesday Improver's Bridge Fairycroft House 2:00 - 4:00 Wednesday Table Tennis Widdington 1:30 - 4:30 Village Hall Wednesday Spanish Improvers Tutor's home 2:00 - 3:00 Thursday Scrabble Member's home 10:00 Thursday French Conversation Member's home 10:30 - 12:00 Thursday fortnightly Ramblers 1 LB Leisure Centre 10:00 - 12:00 approximately Thursday fortnightly Ramblers 2 LB Leisure Centre 10:00 - 12:00 approximately Thursday Pilates 1 Friends Meeting House 1:00 - 2:00

Thursday Mah-jong 2 Member's home 1:30 - 3:30 Thursday Latin 2 Tutor's home 2:00 - 3:30 Thursday fortnightly Drama Fairycroft House 2.00 - 4:00 Thursday Pilates 2 Friends Meeting House 2:00 - 3:00

Thursday Cribbage Fairycroft House 2:30 - 4:30 Friday fortnightly Art Appreciation SW Town Bowling Club 10:30 - 12:00 Friday Bridge SW Town Bowling Club 1:30 - 4:00 Friday Art 2 Baptist Church 2:00 - 4:00

e are proposing to run a series of talks on computing, ranging from a very basic level covering the use of mouse, touchpad and keyboard to a more advanced level. These talks could include hands-on practice using Wmembers’ own laptops or tablets wherever possible. We would then construct a programme for a proposed group based on members’ personal interests.

Other topics could include explaining jargon, transferring pictures from cameras and scanners, email options, spreadsheets for simple accounts, free but safe software, printers, internet use, Wi-Fi and mobile data. If you would like to join this proposed group contact Ann Cousins on 01799 219072 or email [email protected]

Computing

Monthly Activities

Day Activity Venue Time Various - see Dates Birdwatching Contact co-ordinator Contact for your Diary Co-ordinator First Thursday each Easy Riders Cycling Contact co-ordinator 11:00 month Third Friday Gardening Contact co-ordinator Last Wednesday Literature Fairycroft House 2:30 - 3:30 Dates for your Diary Lunch Club Kate Barwood 12:15 for 12:30 2 meetings each Mainly for Men SW Town Bowling Club 2:30 - 4:00 term, contact co-ordinator First Monday Philosophy 1 Joanna O'Connor 10:30 - 12:30 Second Thursday Philosophy 2 Co-ordinator's home 10:30 - 12:30 Second Monday Poetry Member's home 2:00 - 4:00 Second Monday Photography Co-ordinator's home 2:30 start Last Monday Play Reading Member's home 10:00 - 12:00 Last Friday Theatre & Travel Baptist Hall 2:00 start

problem, but what about storage? One of our members enquired about storage and our hosts kindly offered another room. Interest was now mounting, wallets and he number 3 is very important to purses were dusted off and we soon had a us as we are members of the U3A sizeable sum to purchase said table. Our Table Tennis group formed by our Del boy negotiators struck an excellent co-ordinator Ann in 2015. Hence we are deal with a local supplier and the rest, as Trd rd in our 3 year and approaching our 3 they say, is history. Christmas get together. We now have 33 listed participants and play matches based I think over the year the standard, like on the best of 3 games. And it doesn’t stop most of my smashes, has gone through there - I know some are wishing it did! If the roof. Some members have even you asked our members how long a Table dipped their paddles - technical term for Tennis table is, they would most likely TT bat - into a competitive league. I must answer ‘not long enough’ as certainly a lot say thanks to our hosts at Widdington for of our shots overshoot the end. It is in fact the use of the hall and to the mysterious 9 or, as I prefer to think, 3x3 feet long. elves and fairies that arrive early and get the tables out ready for action. Our Talking of tables, for a long time we only session lasts for 3 hours of course and my had 2 tables but, with increasing numbers, wife and I are invariably late arrivals. I will we thought we should not really ignore the leave you to ponder over this mysterious ‘Power’ and that we should try to have 3 fact - Table Tennis bats/paddles are rated tables. Room for 3 tables in the excellent on 3 key attributes: Speed, Spin and Widdington Hall playing area was not a Control - so there you go - the Power of 3.

U3A Saffron Harmony Choir

th . n Sunday 15 October, the choir arrived at Saffron Hall at 10:30 am for its rehearsal for the Saffron Song Fest where 8 choirs were performing to celebrate the International Day of Rural Women, arrangedO by WI in and around Saffron Walden, with all proceeds going to the Associated Country Women of the World’s Projects Appeal.

At 1:00 pm we had a full rehearsal with all choirs before the 2:30 pm start. Four choirs performed in the first half with all choirs singing Song of Peace. In the second half, after everyone sang Rosen fra Fyn, we were the second choir to perform. Our rendition of The Prayer and the Rodgers and Hammerstein medley was very well received and the event ended with a rousing chorus of Jerusalem performed by all choirs. We would like to thank Philippa Croft for kindly inviting us to participate. Editor

In the Autumn Update, we stated incorrectly that the profit from the Rhythm of Life concert was donated solely to the East Anglian Air Ambulance. It was, in fact, divided equally and half was donated to Accuro Saturday Play Club so that each charity received £540.

ive members of the Ukulele Group Ukulele Group performed 6 songs Fat Fairycroft House on 28th October and received lots of good feedback from the enthusiastic audience. Organiser Dave Kenny said we were welcome to return and hopes we'll play at their next event. It was lovely seeing people singing along with us - Ukulele is such a happy sound!

Membership Secretary’s Report

ello everyone and a big welcome to all our new members, and thank you to all who have renewed for another year. I hope you have found classes/activities to join, as we have managed to start quite a number of new groups. H If any of you are eligible for Gift Aid and have not yet signed up for that, please contact me on 01799 550328 or email [email protected] and I will send out a form for you to complete, as it makes a considerable difference to our income.

Ann Banks, Membership Secretary

English Spirit Distillery Tour: 2:00 pm Thursday 22 February Available to all U3A members, no charge but first come first served as places limited. To book your place contact Tony Treglown 01799 516707 or [email protected]

before 8 February. Please use own transport and car share as parking is limited. Great Yeldham Hall, Church Road, Great Yeldham CO9 4PT (20 miles – 34 minutes approx.) Activities Organiser’s Report

mongst the many and varied group activities that Saffron Walden U3A presently enjoys, it’s great to be able to say that we are now able to add some new and exciting ones! A A Badminton Group started on Monday 6th November and is being held at Widdington Village Hall from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm every Monday. Why not come along and give it a try? A Drama Group has just started and a Natural History Group will be starting shortly. The latest details of all our groups are on the Saffron Walden U3A website and are also included in Update on pages 6 & 7. If anyone would like to learn or improve their computer, laptop or tablet skills there is now an excellent opportunity to join a Computer Group.

So, if you are interested in any, or all, of the above new groups, then please contact me on 01799 219072 or email [email protected]. As our membership grows it will be inevitable that new interests will arise. Please contact me (details above) if you would like to lead a group on a particular subject that we don`t currently cover. Ann Cousins, Venues & Activities Organiser

Ballroom/Sequence Dancing

f you want to spend a really happy, enjoyable hour, you could not do better Ithan go to the URC Hall in Abbey Lane every Tuesday at 9:45 am to do some Ballroom and Sequence Dancing with a very friendly, sociable group. You don’t need to be Anton du Beke to participate; Co-ordinator Pauline Palmer and Tutor Ian Lawson (shown here leading their troops) will welcome you and demonstrate the Catherine Waltz, the Cha Cha, the Mayfair Quickstep and many more dances. Ian says it’s the best hour of his week! Afterwards, everyone congregates in the café next door for a drink and a friendly chat. Ian adds that there is a shortage of men, so come on guys - join and show them what you can do! Editor JD

Monthly Open Meetings

id you know that on the interesting talks lined up for the new year with a 3rd Monday of every fascinating film documentary in January - please month, there is an Open see Dates for your Diary on page 26. You will meet MeetingD at the Bowls Club where a variety of like-minded U3A members there and interesting talks are given by the afternoon becomes an excellent social occasion experts in their particular field? If that you can experience every month. you come along at 2:15pm there Do give it a try, you won’t be are refreshments followed by the disappointed. Editor talk at 3:00pm. The October talk was, in the words of one of the audience members, the best ever and was by the English Spirit Distillery which specialises in the production of gin, and there were samples to taste, which may have led to the previous comment!!

The talk in November was on Teaching in China and Cambodia and Katie gave an interesting and humorous talk. There is no Open Meeting in December but we have some exciting and very JD

Members of the Ramblers 2 Group stop for a well earned rest during their 4.5 mile walk in the Clavering area on 2 October. I hope that dog’s a member!!

Photo Martin Hugall 14

Left: Members of the Poetry Group outside St Mary’s Church in Farnham where Peter Grimes, who organised the visit, sang in the choir in his youth. We lunched at the Three Horseshoes in Hazel End and read poetry whilst seated in the choir stalls, a near perfect day. Beryl Ihm, Below: Ramblers 1 on their Co-ordinator ramble in the Finchingfield area on 16 November.

Photo Martin Hugall

Below: The Writing For Pleasure group getting inspired and expressing themselves creatively with pen and paper. They meet every other Monday.

lutching 2/6d in my hand, I went class teacher’s guitar home. Imagine our for my first music lesson aged ten. surprise when, on a car trip, from the back It was a weekly event followed by seat came ‘Ten Green Bottles’ and other Chalf an hour practice each day in a cold singalongs executed by my son aged parlour (no central heating in 1945). nine. ‘We didn't know you could play’ I didn’t enjoyed it, it was more to please echoed round the car. Our first stop when Mum who had inherited a small piano. we got home was Chappells in London to When we moved house our next door buy a guitar for my son. In Chappells I had neighbour was the local church organist. a Yamaha organ demonstrated to me and My tutor let me buy music I liked, Walt that was it, easier than a piano to play, Disney film music became a favourite. I was playing the tunes I loved with the Four of us attended music lessons with Mr keyboard’s brilliant backing. When a dear Lumsden, the organist ,who entered us friend moved to a care home, her son into Stage I Examination at the Royal asked me to play there. I enjoyed it so College of Music. We all passed and set much that I soon played in other places. about studying Stage II. School work Since joining the U3A I'm finding even became more and more pressing, more enjoyment, playing along with two gradually music lessons faded into the new friends, guitarists Jim and Ian, hoping background. Then the piano was sold! we can pass that enjoyment onto others. Years later after marriage and two children, my youngest son brought his Jean Pattenden

he cribbage group continues to meet every Thursday afternoon at Fairycroft in Saffron Walden for friendly play. This term we attracted a few more members and we now have 13 players. We playT singles, in pairs or in a group of three, depending on how many players turn up. This way no one is left out. We break for tea/coffee after about an hour and swap around the playing groups so that we play with different people in the second half of the meeting. We are a friendly bunch, as you can see from the photo, and would welcome new members, experienced or beginners alike. You will find contact details in the U3A Update magazine or on the web site. John Trueman, Co-ordinator

Thanks for sharing your memory with us Jean. Talking about memories, can you recall some of the things your parents used to say to you as a child that make you smile now? I remember my mother saying she would ‘box my ears’ if I misbehaved and if she

thought I was telling a fib she’d say ‘that’s all my eye and Betty Martin’, can anyone explain that one? Why not send some of your thoughts and memories to me at [email protected]

e are a group of 20 who enjoy discussing the book that we have read the preceding month. It’s so informative listening to the views of others but it’s not compulsory to speak although we find that most people have an opinionW and because we’re so friendly it’s easy to express our views. We are led by an incredibly knowledgeable tutor, Alan McLean, who also sets the reading list. Alan was able to tell us the importance of a simple moment when a pen dropped to the floor. Amazingly some did not even recognise that this action had taken place! Each term/year has a theme. Last year we looked at the importance of location in the novel. This year the theme is ‘last but not least’ – i.e. we are reading the last novels of certain authors. During the Autumn term we have read ‘Persuasion’, ‘Weir of Hermiston’ and ‘The Wide Sargasso Sea’. Next term we’ll read ‘Edwin Drude’, ‘The Last Tycoon’ and ‘Sick Heart River’. The group is to remain at 20 as any number greater than this makes discussion difficult. Ann Crawford, Co-ordinator

t’s a Friday evening and I read again We visited St Albans for a field trip in the email that I received from a Mr October, we drove along Watling Street, Jim Dwyer, editor of Update, seeking and eventually gathered at the London contributionsI from co-ordinators for the Gate of Verulamium. We visited the magazine. I read it yet again, ‘Good Lor' Roman hypocaust, identified the palaestra I say to myself, ‘I think he means me’. (a Roman exercise yard) which is now the I overcome the immediate urge to click on site of a tennis court. A trip to the basilica the delete button and despatch Mr Dwyer and forum was followed by the walk to the into the ether but instead attempt to Roman theatre estate. provide you, dear reader, with an account of the two Latin groups’ recent antics! From here, the Roman citizen Alban was marched across a bridge to a cemetery The Monday group has reached the on the hill, now the site of St Albans half-way stage of book 3 of the cathedral, where he met his death and Cambridge Latin Course, and the became the first Christian martyr on these Thursday group at about the same place islands. It was also here that some of the in book 2. Enthusiasm continues to more gregarious members of the group abound especially in the doodling of cats, took to the boards and acted a scene by a translating Latin mottos from Coats of Roman playwright with considerable Arms and the asking of awkward aplomb and to the delight of the rest of us. questions our group leader can’t answer!

Easy Riders Cycling

eptember: we rode around Grafham Water Lake travelling clockwise around the reservoir cycling the length of the dam. We followed the water’s edge passing over different track surfaces and then through beautiful areas of woodland and Sfarmland. At the Western end of the lake, we headed North-West to our chosen pub for a super beer’n’food stop. After lunch al fresco, we cycled back to the lakeside where we resumed our circular tour returning to our start; all-in-all, about 18 miles. ctober: most of our group of eight started from the village hall in Wimbish; Anne and Colin didn’t – despite the weather perking up from wind and rain in the morning to breezy sunshine. The group set off towards Great Sampford, passingO newly-ploughed fields and fruit trees. When we reached the pub it hadn’t yet opened so we pressed on, travelling along ‘The Turpin Trail’ and meandering through the beautiful countryside. We had a leisurely lunch at The Bluebell at Hempstead before heading North-Westerly following a track illuminated with dappled sunshine. We lost our way for a few minutes but, once sorted, the route back to Wimbish and Saffron Walden was straightforward. November lunch: l-r Colin, Anne, Tony, Sue, Linda, Les, Brian

Colin & Anne Taylor, Co-ordinators

ovember: we started earlier than usual as the

days are shorter and the afternoons cooler. . . . Our start point was the Barnsdale Hall Hotel Nwhere some of us had spent the previous night. We travelled around the lake and at the Western end of . . . Rutland Water picked up the lovely circular route . . . around the lake's peninsular. The weather was calm

PUZZLE and temperate, ideal for our cycle ride. In and around the lake we saw ducks, herons, cormorants, swans, Can you join up all the dots grebes, buzzards and kites. We then made for Manton above with just 4 straight and our lunch stop at The Horse & Jockey where many lines without taking your pen other cyclists were having their break. Picking up the off the paper? The first 3 track again we stopped at the famous, part-submerged

readers to do so will get a church at Normanton before crossing the dam at the mention in the next Update. Eastern end of Rutland Water and were soon back at Email the Editor at the hotel. All-in-all, some 25 miles – and Brian cycled [email protected] the last 10 miles or so with a slow puncture! 18

Bird Watching

fter the summer break, we took turns organising visits beginning at Rye Meads RSPB site near Hoddesden in September. We saw many of the usual suspects from Coots to Cormorants on the lagoons and Athe Kestrel on a pylon, but the highlight was the Kingfisher at the kingfisher hide. It flew from perch to perch, dived for fish, and posed for about 10 minutes for photographers - it alone was worth the visit. In all we saw about 30 species of birds plus many dragonflies most of which wouldn't stay still to be identified. In October we visited Rainham Marshes by the Thames. It was warm for late October and we saw over 30 species including Goldfinches, Canada and Greylag Geese, Heron and Egrets, and some raptors, namely Marsh Harriers, Buzzards and one Peregrine Falcon sunning itself beside one of the pools. By the end of November, we will have been to Welney Wetland Centre for the wild swan feeds, then December is our traditional pre-Christmas reserve walk with a pub lunch at Fowlmere. Our present group is full, but we could put new members on a waiting list and/or help start a second group with a mix of experience. For 2018 dates see Dates for your Diary on page 26 and follow us on the U3A website for any updates. Contact details are on page 6. Theatre and Travel

n 12th October, 32 members After lunch we drove through Manningtree, of the Theatre & Travel home of Matthew Hopkins, Witchfinder Group had a very haunting General, who hanged more than 300 Oexperience when our coach travelled women suspected of witchcraft in the to Colchester, believed to be Britain’s 1700s; his ghost is said to haunt nearby oldest town and the capital of Roman Mistley Pond. We then headed for Britain. We collected our guide and Constable Country and Dedham where we stopped for coffee before moving explored and had coffee before heading for onto Colchester Castle (pictured) home. The weather had been kind to us and where we saw an exhibition of our guide had been exceedingly interesting Roman artefacts and visited the and informative. prisons where suspected witches Editor were tortured. We visited Hollytrees Museum which showed 2 centuries of toys & costumes and is reputedly haunted by Anne Lisle, known as the White Lady, whose ghost can often be heard. The castle was built in 1070 on the orders of William the Conqueror and is the largest Norman keep ever built in Europe.

For lunch, we had a short walk to the Red Lion Hotel, reputedly one of the most haunted hotels in England. We looked out for the resident ghost Alice, but she did not make an appearance that day!

Theatre and Travel Holiday

n Monday 2nd October, 32 members of the Theatre and Travel Group set off for a 4-day holiday in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. On the way, the coach stopped at Lincoln where we strolled past the medieval cathedral and castle as weO headed for the town centre and some lunch. We then travelled on to Harrogate where we had all been booked in at The Majestic Hotel, a grand, redbrick, Victorian building with modern, elegant and spacious rooms. After relaxing and refreshing ourselves, we assembled in the huge dining room for our 3 course evening meal.

uesday we drove to Ripon to visit Fountains Abbey, a well preserved Cistercian monastery and one of the largest in the country with magnificent grounds and lakes. We then travelled onto Grassington, a beautiful scenic ride throughT The Yorkshire Dales for tea with an equally scenic trip back to our hotel. ednesday, following breakfast, the coach took us to Pickering where we boarded a steam train for a ride through the Yorkshire Moors to Goathland (Aidensfield in the ‘Heartbeat’ TV series) near Whitby. After a light lunch, weW drove back to Harrogate to relax before our excellent 3 course evening meal. Most of us then retired to the bar area where some chatted whilst others played cribbage, over drinks of course! n Thursday, some members travelled to the walled city of York and others to the excellent Eden Camp WW2 Museum at Malton, set in the buildings and grounds of an original Prisoner of War Camp. Some other members preferred Oto spend their last day in Harrogate to explore the town and shop. The weather was good and there was a lot of exchanging of experiences over our evening meal. A relatively early night for us all to pack for the homeward journey the next morning. After breakfast on Friday morning, we set off for home with a stop at the Boundary Mills/ Downtown retail outlet at Grantham. There was a huge range of clothes and household items so we naturally spent some more money! But everyone agreed that it had been an excellent debut for holiday organiser Jean Little. Editor

Correspondence

From: TONY TREGLOWN From: Francis Beckett Sent: 22 August 2017 20:16 Sent: 11 September 17:22 To: Jim Dwyer To: [email protected] Subject: UPDATE Subject: Re: Third Age Matters

Evening Jim Dear Jim,

Congratulations on a superb second edition. Thanks for this - it’s a fine piece of design, a Love the graphics & fresh layout—much more model of how a newsletter should be. I’ll try to inviting. get a story out of it for Coast to Coast in November. Regards Tony T Best Wishes Francis From: Wendy Smith Sent: 28 August 2017 11:56 From: Sam Mauger To: [email protected] Sent: 13 September 2017 12:36 Subject: Update To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Third Age Matters Well done Jim - excellent second edition. Thank you Jim, Thanks for all the effort and time you have taken to produce it. It is great - and the note on supporting people

Best wishes Wendy who need help with taking part as a result of a disability or hearing needs is also great to see.

From: John Martin Very best Sam Sent: 19 August 2017 20:10 To: ‘JIM DWYER’ Subject: Words

Hi Jim,

Another good Update. Words: as far as I can see, other than they are all Verbs, they can all be followed by OFF. Still can’t find the fourth

kitten, dammit!

Regards, John

Quiz answers: The four hidden kittens were on pages 4, 15, 27 & back page. The first 3 readers to find them were John Martin, Sheila Ridgewell and Margaret Wederell - well done! The answers to the word quiz on page 17 was that the 10 words listed are the top ten words with most meanings in the English language. ‘Set’ has 464 different meanings in the Oxford English Dictionary followed by ‘run’ with 396, ‘go’ has 368, take 343, stand 334, get 289, turn 288, put 268, fall 264 and strike 250. No-one got that but John Martin and Jill Rata both gave answers that worked but were incorrect whilst John, Jill and Meryl Tyers got the word ‘facetious’ as being a word with all vowels included in alphabetical order. Meryl also pointed out that ‘facetiously’ goes one better and includes a ‘y’! There were several attempts at the odd one out quiz on page 23, thanks to Meryl Tyers, Sheila Ridgewell and Colin Taylor, but no correct answers. The answer is sentence 2 because it contains a French chateau whilst the other sentences contain English towns:

1. If SpurS WIN DO Not think . . . 2. . . . are oVER SAIL LESs and . . . 3. . . . that CARL IS LEaving his . . . 4. . . . in the bOX FOR Deciding who . . .

Mah Jong 2

Co-ordinator

Natural History Group – if you are interested in this potential new group contact David Corke on [email protected] or 01799 599276

There’s already a lot of interest - possible January start

More Theatre and Travel

n addition to the visits shown on the London Palladium and on 26th pages 14, 19 & 20, on 7th September September we saw Crazy For You at the we saw ‘Five Guys Named Moe’ – it Westcliffe Theatre with music by George wasI amazing! The dances and energy left Gershwin and singing and dancing with you breathless! The theatre was unique Strictly Come Dancing winners Tom and was a ‘pop-up’ in the centre of the Chambers and Caroline Flack. Marble Arch roundabout. There was traffic Hey, don’t we do a lot? going round all the time but it did not spoil our enjoyment. The interior was in the Christine Duffy, Co-ordinator style of a New Orleans Jazz Club.

On 4th August we visited Blenheim Palace for the BBC Countryfile Live. There were side stalls, animals and displays and some of us managed to meet the presenters and get on TV. On 17th August we saw the musical Wind in the Willows at

Improvers Bridge

or those of you who may be interested, the Cambridge University Bookshop at 1-2 Trinity Street, Cambridge CB2 1SZ is offering a 20% discount to all FU3A members. They only stock CUP titles but their vast range of subjects ensures something for everyone. You can contact them on 01223 333333, and remember to take your U3A card with you as proof of your membership. Editor

To commemorate Armistice Day recently, a poem by Pauline Smith

In Flanders Fields the poppies This is where they buried us Continue still to grow Near to where we fell Among the lines of crosses Causing pain to those who mourned Arranged row after row The ones we loved so well

This is the Memorial If you visit the battlefields To each of us who fell Where we are forced to lie In that bloody battle Stand a while in silence That seemed to us like hell And if a tear should mist your eye . . .

We were hungry, dirty, lousy Ponder on the reason why Some suffered from foot rot Each one of us lies here We knew things would get tougher It was to give a life of freedom When we went over the top To the country we hold dear

With fear surging through our veins God grant that what we fought for We waited for the shout Will not have been in vain Then without hesitation That future generations From the trench we scrambled out May live in peace again

Some managed to avoid the blasts Now we pass that task to you But others including me Each and every one Took a fatal bullet Must continue to maintain the peace And fell on bended knee Our sacrifice has won

Obituaries

Canon Michael Swindlehurst - by The Reverend Michael Lovegrove

Canon Michael Swindlehurst sadly passed away in Addenbrooke’s Hospital on 7th August aged 87. Born on Christmas Day 1929, his early career included graduating from Oxford, achieving his MA, training for the priesthood and serving as a curate. He was Vicar for 26 years at Brightlingsea before retiring, having also been a Rural Dean, a Chaplain and, finally, becoming Canon at Chelmsford Cathedral. When he moved to Saffron Walden, Michael soon became part of the clergy team of St Mary’s and well known in churches of other denominations, participating in organisations in the town including volunteering at the museum and being involved with The History Society. Michael never married but was close to his sister and several nephews, it was said that he was married to the church.

Another friend and colleague, Canon David Tomlinson, Team Rector of Saffron Walden, added that Michael was a wonderful pastor and a great friend, he was a compassionate, prayerful priest who exemplified a lively, lovely holiness and will be greatly missed. We can be confident that Michael’s love and longing for God are now fulfilled in eternity.

Judith Jones 1945 – 2017

We are sad to announce the passing of Judith on 19 September; she leaves behind husband David and son Nathan. Judith and David moved to Thaxted 3 years ago having lived the previous 11 years in France where they made lots of friends. They joined the Saffron Walden U3A and both attended the French Conversation Group, Judith also attended the Art Group where she pursued her love of painting; she was also an active member of the WI. Judith and David would have celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in February. Her son Nathan lives in Potton and is a regular visitor; the friends that Judith and David made locally have been very supportive.

We are also sad to announce the passing of Isobel Durning and Audrey Glydon. Audrey passed away in January and used to attend the Nice & Easy Fitness Class.

Joy Riche - by Robert Riche (her son) We are sad to announce the passing of Joy, who was born in Lincolnshire in 1936 and achieved academic success at Grammar School as well as winning many athletics competitions and holding a county schoolgirls’ hurdling record for over 30 years. She played hockey and travelled Europe playing semi-professionally for regional and England junior teams and continued to play competitively until she was 49. Joy became a newly qualified teacher in 1956 and taught in London and Stevenage before settling for nearly 30 years as a teacher at Dame Bradbury’s School - having moved to Saffron Walden in 1969 when husband Max became Head of English at the County High; Joy retired in the mid-90s. In recent years, Joy’s 6 Joy made friends easily retaining a deep love and grandsons were an endless responsibility for people. She married Max in 1961; source of energy and fun for daughter Sarah was born in 1967 and son Robert in her. Joy’s many interests, 1972. Max sadly passed away in 2001 affecting Joy besides her family, included greatly, but the love and support of her family reading, writing, travel, theatre, helped her through this bad period. art, politics and her faith.

Diana Pohlmann We are also sad to announce that the following We were sad to hear that Diana Pohlmann (known U3A members have as Di) passed away peacefully at Addenbrookes th passed away: Hospital on 26 October. Di loved going on the U3A travel trips and had been an early editor of Update Christopher Bonney who following her career as a journalist with the lived in Thaxted with his Cambridge wife, and had been a Evening News. member of the Bridge She did a lot of Club; his wife did not want voluntary work for an obituary for him; the Catholic Bill Burgess whose wife Church including Ann said that he was a taking quiet and unassuming man Communion for and that he would not want Parishioners. Di an obituary in Update; had also been a Shirley Evans was a member of the founder member of the Saffron Walden U3A and Photography Club th and was a good cut the cake at our 30 photographer. Her anniversary celebration, artistry also she also served on the showed in the Committee and helped clay figurines she establish the Poetry group. modelled. All will be greatly missed.

Dates for your Diary

21 - Lunch Club: Axe & Compasses, January 8 - Mainly for Men, New Year lunch, Arkesden. 12:00 for 12:30 pm Coach & Horses Newport. 2:30 pm 15 - Open Meeting: Film ‘Rural Life in April Britain’ depicting life in Britain in the early 16 - Open Meeting: ‘My life as a 20th Century. Doors open 2.15 pm freelance comedy writer’ by 17 - Lunch Club: Ananta Thai, Wicken. Nick R Thomas. Doors open 2.15 pm 12:00 for 12:30 pm 27 - Birdwatching: Wicken Fen (provisional) 22 - Birdwatching: Hanningfield Reservoir May February 21 - Open Meeting: ‘Fool’s Gold’ with 5 - Mainly for Men presentation by Alan husband and wife team. Live music, Haines ‘A Kick up the 60s’. 2:30 pm spoken word, videos, hidden histories, 13 - Lunch Club: The Cricketers, mysteries and tragedies behind well Clavering. 12:00 for 12:30 pm known songs. Doors open 2.15 pm 19 - Open Meeting: ‘Change your thoughts & you will change your world’ June by Alan Wise, Health Psychologist. 4 - Mainly for Men ‘Vikings’ talk by Mrs Doors open 2.15 pm Sandy Leong. 2:30 pm 22 - Distillery Tour, Great Yeldham 27 - Birdwatching: Paxton Pits (provisional)

March 5 - Mainly for Men ‘The story of the Bailey Bridge’, talk by Malcolm Darroch. 2:30 pm 19 - Open Meeting: talk not confirmed yet, check website. Doors open 2.15 pm

Theatre & Travel Programme

Date Event Cost Payment Due Organiser 11 Feb Ballet Cinderella - Russian Siberian State Co. Between £50/£45 December Christine Matinee 2pm, Westcliffe pending numbers 24 Feb Iolanthe - Gilbert & Sullivan. Matinee, £57/£63 pending November Christine Coliseum with ENO numbers 22 Mar Leeds Castle £42 February Pauline 8 April La Traviata - Coliseum with ENO. Matinee £57/£63 pend.nos TBA Christine 23-27 Liverpool Holiday - Hallmark Hotel South, £360 March Christine April half-board, Terracotta Army Exhibition 2 May Strictly Ballroom, musical. Reserve list only £54 Pay now Christine 10 May The People's Post - Roman times to today. New TBA TBA Christine Post Museum, Penny Blacks, ride Mail Rail Theatre & Travel co-ordinators: Christine 01799 520173, Pauline 01799 521524, Jean 01799 513411. Please make cheques payable to SAFFRON WALDEN U3A. All dates and prices subject to alteration. We meet last Friday each month at The Baptist Church for members wishing to book trips. Check website for updates.

And finally . . . Update Groucho Marx could have been NEXT ISSUE thinking of Update when he said:

‘A child of five would understand this. EveryMake sureCo-ordinator your contributions wants to see Send someone to fetch a child of five’ theirare early group for publicised the Summer in edi-Update, And this one: thetion. U3A Everyone magazine that reaches the ‘From the moment I picked your book up parts that others don’t! So send until I put it down I was convulsed with those articles and photos in early. laughter. Someday I intend reading it.’ He concluded: ‘Outside of a I offered to give a dog, a book is a man’s best talk at an Open friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read!’ Meeting but they said it would be Editor irrelephant! Please remember to submit your emails to [email protected]

Have your say! All U3A members who reside in

Uttlesford can use Uttlesford Community Travel (Book-a-Ride) Call 01371 875787 for prices

U3A Term Dates 2017/18

Spring: 2 January 2018 - 29 March 2018 Half-term: 12 February - 16 February

Summer: 16 April 2018 - 20 July 2018 Half-term: 28 May - 1 June

U3A Term Dates 2018/19

Autumn: 4 Sept 2018 - 19 Dec 2018 Half-term: 22 October - 26 October

PLEASE don’t forget to visit www.saffronwaldenu3a.org.uk for all the latest U3A information and to view Update in full, glorious colour. 27

Saffron Walden U3A is a Registered Charity No. 290670 The views and opinions expressed in Update are not necessarily those of the U3A or of the Committee. The Committee reserves the right to close any class or activity because of low enrolment or poor attendance. Errors and omissions excepted. We try to keep in contact with all members but it is not always possible to do so. This may be due to illness or other incapacitation. If you hear of any member who may need assistance please contact any member of the Committee. Saffron Walden U3A retains the copyright of the contents of Update. For more information visit our website at www.saffronwaldenu3a.org.uk

All members are covered by public liability insurance but Saffron Walden U3A accepts no responsibility for any accident not covered by that insurance.

Legal advice, including Private (including Holidays), Commercial and Employment advice, is available over the telephone to all members of U3A. This service is provided by Arc Legal Assistance (24 hrs) and can be accessed by telephoning 0344 770 1040, and quote U3A Legal Helpline.

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